Steelers To Continue Outside Linebacker Rotation Against The Bengals

The Pittsburgh Steelers rotated their outside linebackers Sunday in their season opening loss to the Tennessee Titans and head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday during his press conference that we can expected the same course of action Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“Like we did in that game, all of those guys are going to play,” said Tomlin about the outside linebacker rotation. “I thought Jarvis (Jones) did some nice things, I thought Jason (Worilds) did some nice things. We’re going to continue to look at that group and utilize all three guys, the third guy obliviously being LaMarr Woodley.”

Jason Worilds, who started the game against the Titans, played 46 snaps to Jarvis Jones’ 30. LaMarr Woodley, who didn’t seem to be a big fan of a rotation heading into the game, was only pulled off the field for only eight plays in total.

While it looked like the Steelers were using Jones in a two series off, one series on type of rotation against the Titans, Tomlin said Tuesday that the rookie’s playing time was mostly guided by snap numbers.

“There was a rotation, but there was also the ability to adjust the rotation, so I don’t want to say definitively that it was two on, one off,” said Tomlin. “It was a snap count, if you will.”

While Tomlin indicated that both Worilds and Jones did some nice things Sunday, “some” might be an exaggeration when you watch the tape. Sure, Jones had a bone crushing hit in the Titans backfield on running back Chris Johnson, but being as tight end Delanie Walker blew his blocking assignment on the play, it’s hard to give a standing ovation to him for a play that he was expected to make.

As for Worilds, he registered a missed tackle on defense to go along with two assisted tackles and neither he nor Jones really threatened Titans quarterback Jake Locker when he dropped back to pass.

At some point, Jones will become the starter during the season, but he has to improve his pass rush along the way. Woodley has the only sack for the team thus far as they head into week two and one a week from the trio is simply not going to cut it, rotation or no rotation.

The OLBs have to get pressure. Consistent pressure on the QB is the best way to create turnovers and if this team does not win the turnover battle, it will be a losing team.

Ken

I would give Jarvis a little more credit, most big hits are a result of a confused offensive line or missed block, but I can’t remember the last time a linebacker of ours hit a running back like that regardless of not being blocked. It was great to see the want to, if you know what I mean.

Bilgewater D

I didn’t see the game. Is anyone outside of Woodley even hurrying the QB’s?

Ken

Don’t fall over dead, but I thought McLendon was the best. He could close the deal, but at least he was there often.

JohnnyV1

Jason Worilds got flagged for interference on special teams once on Sunday. I think that was the only time I heard his name. He just reminds me of a guy that’s a 4-3 defense kind of a guy. But, a lot of people had bad, or nondescript games, so…

Jeff

Throughout the preseason and even this first game, Jarvis Jones has made some WOW plays… But i can’t help people keep saying “But” after each of these plays……. “He recovered a fumble, BUT it was an easy recovery”.. “He forced a fumble, BUT there was a blown blocking assignment”.. “He intercepted a ball, BUT the play was negated”….. “He blew up chris johnson, BUT no one touched him.” …….
I’m done hearing that. This guy seems to make plays when he’s on the field, and I don’t really care if they “look” easy. He’s doing something right, and I want to see more of him!

steeltown

Honestly, the DL looked good, McLendon, Keisel and Hood all played well and were getting good push.. Worilds and Jarvis need to get better in that dept

Bilgewater D

Great! But I hope he becomes more than the Tim Tebow of 3-4 Rush Backers.

falconsaftey43

It’s hard for the OLBs to get any sort of pressure when they other team plays it so conservatively. They ran a lot and didn’t take many chances in the passing game, not to mention Locker is a pretty athletic guy so they were probably a little me cautious about keeping contain, as they were burned by big scrambles in preseason. Until the Offense can get going and force teams to play from behind, don’t expect to see many turnovers or sacks. Most of those come in known passing situations.

sean mcmartin

And James harrison wasn’t worth the money? The Steelers already knew worlids could not apply pressure..another colbert Tomlin gaff

sean mcmartin

No. A medicore QB had alot of time to find open receivers. nooone was breaking through the line play after play. Offense could not hold a pocket, it was a nightmare.

Rod Hedrick

The entire D line brought pressure they are just a little slow

Shannon Stephenson

In Colberts defense what Harrison signed for the Bengals was right around what we offered. This was on Harrison.

sean mcmartin

I think he actually took a two year deal for 2 miilion a year, turning down 4 million a year from Steelers.
his first choice was ravens but he was out when dumervill was signed,
worlids is not even close to an older harrison in nasty disposition,or production. Which is Exactly what the team is lacking,,harrison would have never put up with other teams pushing him after plays are over and not give it back ten fold. Harrison has the Cowher teaching instilled in him..
I guess it is true the HC molds the team into his demeanor.

Fr33th1nk3r

McLendon was one of the few stand out performances Sunday. He had like 4 tackles, 2 assists, and 2 hurries/hits I think. He got good pressure up the middle and collapsed the middle of the pocket like he is supposed to do.

The D otherwise looked good, but like last year, they are getting gassed, because they are forced to be on the field so long.

Fr33th1nk3r

The D isn’t the problem.

They got good pressure, but Tennessee played a very conservative gameplan, mostly running it and keeping the passes safe. There was not much opportunity for sacks.

When we go against a more pass-happy offense, they WILL get sacks.

sean mcmartin

Ok I admit they brought pressure so slow that a mediocre QB had enough time to plant and wait for his WR’s to find the soft spots in the zone defense.. Ben snaps and gets guys coming in before he can set up. so Monday night haley will have to use shotgun formation and 2 and 3 TE sets ,just to give ben 3 seconds to release. and we all know that won’t happen he will still call the dink and dunk and let ben take his shots.
Its only a matter of time before ben is out. Gilbert will probably fall on his ankle from being bull rushed and manhandled , Or Decastro might close his eyes and turn and launch at ben’s knee.

sean mcmartin

Not Alot of people had bad games. Alot Of Steelers had bad games..No Excuses at this level. Kinda think the Steelers have more 4-3 players in a 3-4 scheme.

Bill Bobertson

Another mistake by Tomlin. Worlids won’t be the starter and he isn’t good at football. Leave the kid in and see what he can do…

Jefferson_St_Joe

It was not a matter of Harrison being worth a certain amount of money. The Steelers had to make cuts to get under the cap. Personally, I’d have gone a different direction but there were very few options to get under the cap. Unfortunately, there will be similar decisions made this year.

Shannon Stephenson

You mean all talk and no action. lol

Intropy

I remember seeing Heyward’s jersey back there at least once. I don’t know how many attempts he had.